Because of a reallocation of costs associated with immigrant visas, all categories of immigrant visa processing fees will decrease.

Immigrant Visa Processing Fees

Type of Visa

Previous Fee

New Fee

Immediate Relative and Family Preference Applications

$330

$230

Employment-Based Applications

$720

$405

Other Immigrant Visa Applications

$305

$220

Diversity Visa Program Fee

$440

$330

Determining Returning Resident Status

$380

$275

Visa application fees paid before April 13 at the prior rate will be honored through July 12,

2012.

Starting on July 13, 2012, applicants who had paid application fees at a prior rate will

have to pay the difference between the prior rate and the new rate.

For visa categories that have reduced fees effective April 13, no refunds will be given to those who paid the fees before the effective date.

For a full listing of the new visa fees, visit the US Embassy Manila website.

New law

The US Embassy said the reduction in the immigrant visa fees was due to a new US law that allows the US Department of State to seek reimbursement from other federal agencies (such as the US Citizenship and Immigration Service).

However, US embassies must collect higher fees for tourist and other types of nonimmigrant visas because US law requires the Department of State to recover the costs of processing those types of visas.

The embassy said the new fees more accurately reflect the costs of visa processing services